Sampling

Sampling Evaluation 

This project was focused on the idea of 'Data' and how it is interpreted. When first given the brief, I struggled with the idea, the only ones coming to mind were that of stats and graphs. After some research and frustration, I decided to just type the word into google and to see if any results sparked some ideas. I typed different abbreviations of the word to get a mix of results. The main thing coming up was identity, which i then followed on to create my idea of hands and fingerprints.

I started off creating and body of visual research, drawings and photographs of hands. Taking advice from my last brief, and experimented with different drawing materials, rather than just one tool. I then moved onto researching the idea of hands and the history behind them. I looked into palm reading, pressure points and hand gestures. I stuck to just three, as there are so many paths that I could have gone down with research that I didn't want to confuse myself. 

During my first three weeks, I was placed to do weave first, something that I was excited to learn. I found the overall process a very long and time consuming thing, however when you see the final finished weave it makes it worth it. For my weft, I chose a pink, peach and white colour, to represent the flesh tones of the hand. Throughout the weave process I tried to experiment with texture as much as possible, trying to make my weave distort and bulge under the thick threads. I used many different yarns from paper thread to cotton swirl. After having a tutorial, it was mentioned that I should try and use undertones of blues and reds, as you can see the veins through the skin. This is something I tried, using thick blues and small thin reds. I found this idea did not fit very well with my weave, looking back I think the colours that I originally chose for my weft had something to do with this. 

For my last three weeks, I spent them in knit, again a process I was eager to learn. At first I struggled a bit getting to grips with the techniques and threading of the machines. After a bit of practice I grew more confident. I started incorporating parts of my visual research into my knit samples. For example, i was using random patterns, to show the patterns of the fingerprints. I also created two of my own punchcards, again creating random patterns in one and on another card i copied an image of a fingerprints, creating a pattern from it and transferring it into a knit sample.

Overall, I have really enjoyed working on this brief and it it something I would like to come back and work some more on. I think I could have pushed my ideas a bit further, but in the time I had I believe I have done as much a possible. 

Sampling

Fingertips

These are some fingerprint I have taken prints from. These were created using black ink then pressed onto gloss photo paper. After experimenting with a few papers, I found that gloss photo paper gave a clearer print. These prints were taken from a boy, I find the difference between each print fascinating and would like to take this idea further by taking prints from different genders and ages to see if there is a difference. I then scanned the prints into photoshopped and zoomed in, in order to see each mark made. I find these prints very interesting as you can see on the left image and on a small section of the middle image, there is a portion that just looks like a black smudge, however, the fingertip has a part that features no print at all, due to an accident. This is something that I find strange, it almost stops the print and blends each mark into one larger mark. From these images, I have taken some drawings from the prints, re-creating the lines and marks, again using photo paper, as it is best to create a clear mark. 

Sampling

Knit Machines

During my three weeks in the knit part of my textile world, I have really enjoyed learning to use the knit machines and experimenting my new skills. At first this was something i was looking forward to as I have never used a knit machine before and was something I was eager to learn. At first it was hard to come to terms with all the new techniques and rules, but after some practice, I have started to enjoy using the machines. However, during my time, I came across some bad days where I would only create two or three samples in a day, this is something I have learnt to avoid, by taking a moment, having a break and coming back to my work. The main thing I love about these machines is that it is very fast to create quick development samples using different techniques and skills I have learnt. Each sample I have created has been different, using the same tools but in very different ways. I liked the idea that almost any thread can be used, creating texture, which is something I am interested in. Overall, I have enjoyed learning new skills and spending time on the machines.

Sampling

Knitting

These are the first samples I have created on the knitting machine. These are rough experiments, just whilst I begin learning the different techniques. I tried to keep the colour palette the same as my weave, using pinks, peaches and whites, however this time I have tried to include more reds and blues to break up the colours, again this is represent the veins in the hand. After playing around on the machine, I really like making holes in the fabric, creating unorganised patterns, this is something I think ties in well with my brief. After looking through my samples I think that I will start to weave into some of the gaps in the knit, creating texture and raised surface, like I experimented with in my weave. 

Sampling

Weave

This is a few scans of my finished weave. The whole sample took about 3 weeks from start to finish and I completed the full length of the thread which is roughly four yards long. This is something I am very proud to have completed as I have made the whole thing from scratch. 

The weave itself was made from three primary colours, pink, peach and white (this was to tie in with my 'hands' brief) I then began weaving with these colours, just to start off with. I then began looking into texture, trying to make the weave feel bumpy and raised. I experimented with different yarns, using paper yarns and cotton swirl, each one giving a different effect. After a tutorial, it was suggest to me that I begin using bright colours in order to break the weave up a bit, rather than bombarding it with pinks. I decided to use a blue, this represented the veins that would be showing on the back of the hand. This worked very well, especially with the weft colours covering some of the blue, reflecting the surface of the hand. However, after finishing the weave I can see where I could have experimented more and added new things. This is something I will take with me into the new brief.